Balance
Slowly, purposefully and with caution I am reforming my daily routines and attaining balance. My days can feel as precarious as a cairn appears, but like a cairn, miraculously those days come together and I am able to achieve a little more. I am more flexible, even as I forge a routine that is, if not rigid, provides guidance about what is important and what to do next.
Project Quilting
My participation in Project Quilting has been spotty. Every year there are six projects to complete over a 12 week period. Annually, I promise myself I will complete all six. Ironically, this is the first year I actually achieved that goal. Who knew I had to be out of balance to do so.
The prompt this week was to make something you could hold in your hand. Of course, it had to be quilted. Since my studio time is so limited I knew I had to make something simple and fast. Not sure why, but my brain turned to gift bags. I found this very easy drawstring gift bag tutorial on line. Surprise, NOT, I modified the tutorial. Clearly, I did not use Christmas fabric, plus I added batting and lining, so I could quilt the fabric. Tip: I left a 0.5″ fabric border around the batting so I would only be stitching two layers of fabric and NOT including the batting in the seams.
One of the advantages of creating a quilted gift bag is that you can use it for delicate gifts.
From start to finish PQ 17.6 took me less than 4 hours. This included watching the video, selecting the fabric, realizing I would need to modify the directions to meet the PQ requirements and then creating the bag. Yes, I even quilted it.
Secret Mission
I spent two hours working on my Secret Mission this week. They were broken up over two days. Now, 36 blocks are pieced. I also bought the backing fabric and batting I will need.
I bought enough so that I could use it to bind the quilt, as well.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
In between the other projects this week, I made two more cat blocks for my Cats in the Attic quilt.
The turquoise one is my favorite.
Keeping It Reel
This week the director of my local art center had asked if she could come over for a studio tour. Of course, I said yes. Unfortunately, she had to reschedule. Still this gave me the idea to share what you would see as you walk in the front door of our home. You can view the reel on both Instagram and Facebook.
SEDOSO
SEDESO, the Senior Executive Director of Studio Operations, continues to make progress. Achieving balance definitely applies to him, as he works on regaining strength in his right leg. He is still at the rehabilitation center, but all signs point to his coming home soon.
Question of the Week
What recommendations do you have for achieving balance in your life?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
‘Achieving balance’ is a real challenge in a culture that insists you be “productive” — constantly making goals and tracking progress. At almost 74, I am shifting away from this in a concrete sense, and spending more time doing what I want to do without “WIPGO” or “Make 9” or trying to keep up with others in whatever activity I’ve joined. That said, the “Voices” that favour “productive” and “busyness” over contentment are hard to silence!
Well said, Margaret. The competitor in me, even if I am only competing with myself, can’t resist the allure of doing better. That being said, like you, I am letting go of tackling major projects in favor of simpler endeavors, especially with the SEDOSO out of commission for several months.
Your drawstring bag is a lovely finish, and perfect for the PQ challenge, Gwyned! That is a fun kitty block, too. When my life is out of whack (as when my hubby has had a health issue or my mom has needs), small projects are my go-to. Having a little time to touch fabric and create is always good therapy. And being able to “go with the flow” during these times helps, too – instead of too many “have-tos!” Glad to hear your SEDOSO will be able to come home soon – I bet he is anxious to be home.
Precisely, Diann. Tempting as it is to tackle some larger more creative projects, with an overflowing, demanding life it is best to let go of the big and concentrate on the small. So glad I stumbled on the gift bag.
There seems to always be stuff to do, I’m referring to chores. I can’t relax and give myself studio time if chores are hanging over my head. I find that getting things down on paper relieves my anxiety and I can prioritize and put off to another day to get the desired studio time. The down on paper part is very important as it stops me from having them swimming around in my head wanting to be done. Glad you are finding your way in your new routines.
Although I don’t use paper to create a to do list, I do create “reminders” list on my computer. Like you, find it easier to let go of all those chores, wants, needs, etc. if they can be collected securely, releasing my brain from needing to review them. I also prioritize my list, tackling the musts, especially time sensitive ones first.
I enjoyed the reel of entering your home. I’ve been watching for updates for the SEDOSO and am so glad for you both that it looks like his return is near.
Cherie, I’m brand new at creating reels, so I am grateful you enjoyed this one. Looks like the SEDOSO will be coming home next week. One thing we were working on before his accident was setting up a way for me to create reels of me working. It is best as a two person job, initially. So, stay tuned.
Love your fabric choice and quilting on your PQ project, Gwyned! Those kitties are so cute! Glad to hear your honey will be home soon!
Thank you, Nancy. I do love batiks, especially those that radiate light, include foliage and lean towards chartreuse.
Keeping a balance in our lives is so often a challenge. Lovely gift bag, especially how you quilted it! I hope that SEDOSO continues to make good progress.
I’m impressed you spotted the quilting, Sara. I had fun using the fabric as my guide. The SEDOSO should be home sometime next week. I expect it to be yet another steep learning curve for us both as we learn how to adapt to his current situation. Fortunately, his OT as focused on getting him to be able to attend to the basic ADL, such as dressing, bathing and grooming.
Kudos for completing all of the challenges this year. That is a FEAT! The drawstring bag is a cutie! So good to read SEDOSO will be home soon. As far as achieving balance goes I spend way more time on stitching than anything else during the week. So my “normal” is unbalanced. . . I prefer it that way! LOL!
Thank you, Terry. Making all six PQ projects was something I set my sights on. So, I’m rather proud I did it. Stitching is a great way to spend your time. Essential for mental health in my opinion.
Your Drawstring bag is just beautiful! It will make such a special gift in itself. Meanwhile, I think there is a natural ebb and flow with our desires, willpower, creative energy, etc. So I guess that is where go with the flow came from. I do small chores like cut and sort fabric when I can’t get up the gumption to work on something specific. I just wish my love lay more with machine stitching than with the hand work which is always going to be slow stitching. Take care, j
You are kind, Jocelyn. I bought that fabric to use as backing for my HUGE 2024 RSC quilt. I love marble fabric almost as much as I love batiks. It doesn’t exactly blend, but does work as featured fabric in a drawstring bag.
True, hand work is slow work, but I am always in awe of how much you manage to get done in a week.
balance is pie in the sky for me right now.. but worthy goal
your bag is gorgeous. I bet your whole house is full of lovely textiles and views
LeeAnna
You and I are in the same state balance-wise, Lee Anna. It can feel scary to me to feel so off kilter. However, I do have some lovely balanced, I don’t feel overwhelmed kind of days, too. Today is one of those.
I checked out the video of walking into your home – lovely. Wow, balance, thanks for the reminder, life does seem to get out of control, tugging us this way and that. A reminder for me to bring back the balance, which I do by giving myself time, and that gift is sewing (piecing/quilting), so once again I choose to give myself a little of this time every day. Thanks for the reminder
Thank you for checking out the reel, Edith. We feel very grateful to have our home. The prior owners were art collectors. One of the criteria they had when the house was designed was that it would have plenty of room to display their art. So, I have continued the tradition. While you give yourself time to sew, I have focused on giving myself time to tackle housecleaning/sorting. One of the advantages of having the SEDOSO out of the house, is that anything I organize stays organized and any surface I clear stays cleared.
We all have to find our own way to balance, but I’ve found that even if I do a little on a project, I celebrate the success. I can have a big project going & I feel good if I get a few minutes each day to “take a bite of the elephant”. Similar to you doing small projects. Whatever you do, celebrate your success, no matter how small! Hope the hubby comes home next week!!!
Thank you for the reminder, Sue. I tend to dismiss the little wins. I have to keep reminding myself that so much I am doing these days may be everyday for others, but is new to me. Like many long time marrieds, we naturally handle different aspects of our combined lives. So, I am doing what I normally to do for our household, plus what SEDOSO does. The fact that so much is new keeps me feeling off kilter. Gnawing my way through the elephant. Reminding myself to take small bites and spread those bites over time to avoid a tummy ache.
It’s a pretty bag, and that’s a great way to have quilted it.
Thank you, Sally. I wasn’t sure hw the bag would work since I added quilting as a criteria. Pleased that it worked and you liked it.
Your little gift bag is beautiful, Gwyned, and I love the detailed quilting, so beautiful. Love your cat block too.
What can I say? I love quilting and FMQ is my favorite. The fabric lent itself to dense quilting.
I’m glad to ear the good news about your husband, soon to be home! The gift bag is lovely, great idea for this PQ challenge and congratulations on completing all of them! The backing fabric is wonderful, I love these pretty green leaves. Based on the few hints you’ve given so far about the secret project, it’s going to go really well with the top. Cute cat too, this turquoise block is lovely. Thank you for sharing your beautiful projects and linking up, hugs.
Yes, it is good news about SEDOSO. Just got more good news today. He is able to walk with a cane. This shows he is regaining strength in the injured leg.
Yes, I think the backing fabric will work with the top, or at least be close enough. There is a fair amount of tropical foliage in the quilt itself and lots of that luscious chartreuse.
What great beauty came out of your imbalance. So glad you are able to continue to create – cheers to the SEDESO.. get better!!!
Thank you, Alycia. I’m partial to the gift bag and turquoise kitty myself. SEDESO is chuffed with his progress. He can now walk with a cane. Should be coming home this week.
Your RSC kitty looks so soft; I love how those bits of batik give the illusion of soft fur. Great job with the quilted challenge gift bag, too. I hope your SEDOSO comes home to you soon! It must be difficult to be separated. As for Balance? Hmmm… I think that sometimes in my life when I thought I was working on “balance,” I was actually over-scheduling myself and overcommitting, trying to include too many different things into each day, week or month. These days I feel better when I am stingier with my time and energy, prioritizing only a couple things at a time like personal health and wellbeing (sleep/diet/exercise) and cutting up little bits of fabric and sewing them back together again — Hmmm, but isn’t that self-care, too? But then it’s also important to regularly schedule time with friends and family, to read, and to deal with all the administrative tasks that come along with adulting. I have no wisdom to share about balance; I guess I’m still trying to figure that one out, too!
I think I’ve been working on balance for decades, now. I’m pretty good at self care and obligations I have agreed to. It’s time spent with others where I struggle. So, like you I have a tendency to overcommit.
I’m a huge fan of Ruth McDowell and her ability to use fabric to achieve light, shadow and much. She wouldn’t hunt down fabric that already represented bark or leaves, instead she would turn to stash and see fabric that could “work” as bark or leaves. I had a lot of fun going through my stash checking of “fur”.
My guess is a we both judge ourselves harshly and come much closer to balance than many. 🙂
What a great gift bag. I like your tip for keeping the backing larger so that you don’t include the batting in the seam. Thanks for sharing in Sew & Tell.
It is so natural to think of including a batting the same size or larger than the piece to be quilted, thus allowing for shrinkage and trimming. However, seams that incorporate batting, even the seam allowance is trimmed post seaming, can be bulky. Therefore, it occurred to be to eliminate batting in the seam allowance. Thought I would pass that idea along. Glad it appealed to you.
Hi Gwyned, your bag is gorgeous and I love the quilting that follows the fabric design. That will be a useful gift bag! Balance – that’s a tough one. I do listen to meditations which helps. Otherwise, I keep as much time for myself as I can and try to listen to myself for what I want to do, or when to stop! Best of luck in finding balance (routine is not my idea of fun, so that one’s out for me). Thanks for linking up to I Quilted This!
Well, let’s just say it loosely followed the fabric design. When a fabric design dominates and is of the density that I plat on quilting, why fight the pattern. Plus, I don’t have to as much thinking about how to lay out the design as I quilt.
Isn’t great that we can each choose balance that works for us? Meditation has never been my go to, although I can easily spend 10 minutes, even more in shavasana. It is similar, I suspect to meditation.